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Kevin VanDam heads 80-man Bass Pro Tour line-up

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Several Major League Fishing anglers were present during league planning activities held this week at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, at which the 80-angler field for the new MLF Bass Pro Tour was announced.

↑ Four-time Bassmaster Classic winner, Kevin VanDam, is among the list of 80 professional anglers who have signed up for the 2019 Bass Pro Tour and MLF Cup events.

Four-times Bassmaster Champion, Kevin VanDam, is the jewel in the crown of the 80 professional anglers who have signed up for the breakaway Bass Pro Tour in the US.

He will join a star-studded list of household names on the bass fishing circuit, which includes other Bassmaster Classic winners alongside FLW Forrest Wood Cup holders and Anglers of the Year.

“We are going into this Major League Fishing (MLF) venture with a different mentality,” said VanDam. “To me, looking at this list is a very powerful statement about the future of the league. This group of anglers accepted the opportunity because they all believe in the vision and we have the chance to do something special for the sport of fishing.

“With anglers working hard for the same end goal, the future is going to be very exciting.”

The Bass Pro Tour kicks off in 2019 and is backed by Bass Pro Shops and the Outdoor Sportsman Group (OSG). It will be aired on the Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports and the Discovery Channel.

Boyd Duckett, MLF Co-founder and Vice President of the Professional Bass Tour Anglers’ Association (PBTAA), said: “We understand how difficult this decision was for pro anglers – everyone who has faced a potential career-changing move can relate to it. We now have 80 individuals who have committed to a dream that goes beyond just a tournament pay day.

“Sure, the higher pay-outs are part of it, but for us, this is not a competition we are in against other trails. It does not matter what B.A.S.S. or FLW does. Our goal is different. These anglers know that and we are ecstatic to have them on board with the new MLF.’